Did my office turn into a student dorm or something?
Fujiwara Chiya had not expected to find Grass Wonder in his bed.
"I heard from the student council that Director Akikawa and Miss Hayakawa went out," Grass Wonder said, gently smoothing the blanket with a smile. "So I thought I would come by tonight and warm Yuki-chan's bed."
Your ears sure work fast.
The problem was, the person standing here right now was not "Yuki-chan." He was Chiya. Fujiwara Chiya sincerely hoped Grass Wonder could keep the two separate.
Shirayuki was him.
But at the same time, she was not him.
One was a woman. One was a man. That part absolutely could not get mixed up.
If Grass Wonder warmed Shirayuki's bed, maybe nothing would happen.
But if she warmed his bed?
That was a whole different disaster.
Wasn't this basically tossing meat straight into a predator's mouth?
Chiya felt like there were several problems here.
"Even if nobody was around, I'm pretty sure this room was locked."
"When I was ironing my husband's clothes, I found the key," Grass Wonder replied calmly. "So I had a copy made."
"I knew the wrinkles on my clothes disappeared somehow. So that was you, Grass Wonder…"
"Yes." Her lips curved sweetly. "A few days ago, while you were away, I used an iron to smooth them out. I left the iron in the cabinet, so you may use it anytime."
"Hah…"
His office was starting to feel more and more lived-in.
"I believe that, as a wife, it is my duty to keep my husband properly dressed, as well as fulfill the duty of warming his bed." Grass Wonder looked straight at him. "I have always admired the ideal of a Yamato Nadeshiko. I began my bridal training long ago, so whether it is housework or matters between husband and wife, I am confident I will not lose to anyone."
"G-Grass Wonder, um…"
Chiya had no idea how to respond.
She kept saying "my husband" and "wife," but the two of them were very much not married.
Actually, forget that. Chiya's marriage partner was not Grass Wonder at all. He had already made his feelings toward Shirayuki clear.
"Did I say something wrong?" Grass Wonder asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Grass Wonder, the one I'm marrying is Shirayuki," Chiya repeated. "She's irreplaceable to me."
"Yes. I understand."
"You… understand?"
"Of course. Yuki-chan is gentle, cute, and clever. She possesses such refined, feminine grace. I think it is only natural to fall in love with her. It is not only me, either. Many people adore Yuki-chan." Grass Wonder praised her without the slightest hesitation. "So I believe it is completely understandable that you fell for Yuki-chan as well, my husband."
Was that… understanding?
Actually, weirdly enough, it did make a little sense.
Chiya viewed Shirayuki from a third-person perspective. It was like how a player could grow fond of the character they controlled after seeing that character do certain things. That strange, detached viewpoint really could give birth to admiration, longing, even love.
Being able to "see yourself" and being unable to "see yourself" were two entirely different concepts.
But Grass Wonder was not finished.
After a brief pause, she said, "I understand how you feel about loving Yuki-chan, because I feel the same way."
"Grass Wonder…"
Chiya realized Grass Wonder's attachment to Shirayuki was not shallow at all.
Strange.
Had Grass Wonder always been this obsessive at the start?
He could no longer remember.
"I love Yuki-chan. Before, I did not understand it clearly, but now I do. Yuki-chan is a part of you, my husband. If I love her, then I must love everything about her." Grass Wonder placed a hand against her chest.
"I understand your love for Yuki-chan. I feel the same. But she is still a part of you. You cannot marry yourself. That is why, at least in the eyes of others, in the wedding hall, I hope to become your recognized partner and spend my life by your side."
Her sky-blue eyes reflected Chiya's face.
"Even if it is only for the ceremony, please allow me to become the wife of both you and Yuki-chan. I will serve you both properly."
Chiya opened his mouth.
Somehow, for one terrifying second, he almost thought Grass Wonder had a point.
But the instant that thought surfaced, his mind went violently hazy.
He shut his eyes, clenched his fist, and said, "I'm sorry, Grass Wonder. This matters too much to me. I won't give this place up to anyone."
"Yuki-chan…"
Grass Wonder's eyes widened.
Looking into Chiya's unwavering gaze, she understood.
The one speaking to her now was Yuki-chan.
It was the Shirayuki inside Fujiwara Chiya's heart.
She refused to surrender the place at Chiya's side.
Grass Wonder still wanted to say something.
But in this situation, nothing she said would change anything.
Shirayuki had rejected her.
She had been so close.
So close to becoming Yuki-chan's legal wife.
And yet, in the end, the person who stopped her was Yuki-chan herself.
Grass Wonder was deeply frustrated.
She had tried everything. Every method she could think of. And just as she reached the final step, the person most precious to her stood in her way.
"Then at least allow me to fulfill my duty of warming your bed today," Grass Wonder said at last. "Let me sleep beside you for one night. This would not be the first time we have slept together."
Grass Wonder did not know whether she would still have another chance.
But until the very last moment, she would not give up.
Just like in a race.
Until the finish line was crossed, nobody knew who would win.
For the sake of that recognized position as wife, Grass Wonder would give everything she had.
"Yuki-chan has been away from Tracen for over a hundred days," Grass Wonder said softly. "So staying with me a little longer tonight should be all right, shouldn't it?"
Chiya hesitated for a moment, then sat down on the bed.
"I'm the same as Shirayuki, but also not the same."
"I know. But no matter which one you are, you are still Yuki-chan."
"Fine. If you're going that far…"
Chiya slipped under the blanket.
Grass Wonder lay down beside him.
"Why are you facing away from me, my husband?"
Because there is a very pretty girl lying beside me, and my body is reacting on its own. Could he say that?
Absolutely not.
Chiya closed his eyes.
"Why are you still calling me your husband, Grass Wonder?"
We are not married yet.
"I made up my mind long ago that I would offer myself to Yuki-chan," Grass Wonder said. "My feelings for Yuki-chan will not change because of a piece of paper or a ceremony."
"You really do love Shirayuki, huh."
"Of course. Otherwise, I would never have done those things with Yuki-chan." Grass Wonder hugged Chiya from behind, her soft arms sliding around him. "Even though I shared that kind of intimacy with Yuki-chan, my body is still untouched."
Well, obviously. How are two girls supposed to do that part?
"My emotional first time, I gave to Yuki-chan," Grass Wonder whispered. "And my bodily first time… I want to give to Chiya."
"…Huh?"
Grass Wonder's hand began to drift somewhere dangerous.
"Recently, I have been studying matters between men and women. I may not be very skilled yet, but I will do my utmost to serve you. Though this may go against the spirit of a proper Yamato Nadeshiko, just for tonight, please allow me to be a little improper. Ever since Yuki-chan left, I have been holding myself back."
Grass Wonder's breathing grew heavier.
"G-Grass Wonder?"
Chiya turned around.
There, he saw Grass Wonder's eyes glowing faintly in the dark, her face flushed red. Her fragrant breath brushed against his neck.
"I know my chances may be very small," Grass Wonder said, closing her eyes. "But even so, I want to experience what it feels like to be married, just once."
Then she kissed Fujiwara Chiya on the lips.
Her two first times.
Both of them, she entrusted to the man before her.
The man who was both Yuki-chan and Chiya.